Krumping. Or Krump. This is actually an acronym for Kingdom Radically Uplifted Mighty Praise. It is a dance craze that has kept many teens out of trouble and turning their anger into a positive art form.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krumping
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-kSNy0yAGY
http://www.rickey.org/?p=25649 at about 45 sec.
Krumping was invented in Compton as a way for young men to express themselves without resorting to violence. The movement of krump is very large, arms and hands flail about, feet move in every direction, and the style is intense.
I am so fascinated by this style. There are many ways to keep kids out of trouble, i.e. music, but this dance style has done something that is innovative. It has used the rage of young teens and lets them express it through dance. They can still punch, but now the punch has a meaning because it is done with musicality and technique.
I am so happy that I found this style of dance. Dance has always fascinated me because it is one of the only things that I know of where someone is trying to outdo music. I hope this style grows into something special.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Readings Week 11
I thoroughly enjoyed the readings for this week. Every one of them was easy to understand and gave many insightful tips. The readings this week focused on technology and how educators may use it in a more modern classroom.
The first article was a very simple one written by Marcy P. Driscoll. Titled "How People Learn (and What Technology Might Have to do With It)" it describes how learning works and operates. Driscoll then adds in ways that technology aids in learning.
I do see the benefits of technology in learning. However I also wonder how our ancestors learned and functioned without technology. Yes, having electricity and an Internet is a huge benefit to us now, but learning would take place whether we had technology or not. But as long as we have it, I think we should use it to its fullest advantage.
The next article by Marc Prensky is about "digital natives", or people that have grown up surrounded by technology as an integral part of their lives. Prensky also covers those of us who have had to accommodate technology, which he calls "digital immigrants". This was such an interesting article due to the fact that I am on the border of the two.
As a 90's child I grew up playing Nintendo, and Sega, I used compact discs as well as MP3's and cassette players. I feel like accommodating to technology is not that hard at all, like all learning you need to do it slowly and constantly build on previous knowledge. I do not believe that children today are born with the knowledge of how to use the Internet. But they definitely know how to navigate the technology maze. Even though it may take a bit longer, older adults can do the same as their youth. They just need to take their time.
The last article is by Dr. Bauer himself and discusses web quests. I can honestly say I am very fascinated by this concept and would enjoy very much to do one. If anyone one knows what Geocaching is, it is like that but online. I think that this idea is so cool.
What I got from the article is that students have one website that they visit to see what they must accomplish. The site outlines what must be done and what should be achieved. Then students are put on a quest for information via the world wide web. Wow, it is like a treasure hunt. I can easily use this in my classroom.
I feel as though technology is not that hard to understand or use. All you need is to take your time and build upon what you already know. There are so many exciting things that you are able to do in technology and music that knowing a bit about it will make you life easier.
The first article was a very simple one written by Marcy P. Driscoll. Titled "How People Learn (and What Technology Might Have to do With It)" it describes how learning works and operates. Driscoll then adds in ways that technology aids in learning.
I do see the benefits of technology in learning. However I also wonder how our ancestors learned and functioned without technology. Yes, having electricity and an Internet is a huge benefit to us now, but learning would take place whether we had technology or not. But as long as we have it, I think we should use it to its fullest advantage.
The next article by Marc Prensky is about "digital natives", or people that have grown up surrounded by technology as an integral part of their lives. Prensky also covers those of us who have had to accommodate technology, which he calls "digital immigrants". This was such an interesting article due to the fact that I am on the border of the two.
As a 90's child I grew up playing Nintendo, and Sega, I used compact discs as well as MP3's and cassette players. I feel like accommodating to technology is not that hard at all, like all learning you need to do it slowly and constantly build on previous knowledge. I do not believe that children today are born with the knowledge of how to use the Internet. But they definitely know how to navigate the technology maze. Even though it may take a bit longer, older adults can do the same as their youth. They just need to take their time.
The last article is by Dr. Bauer himself and discusses web quests. I can honestly say I am very fascinated by this concept and would enjoy very much to do one. If anyone one knows what Geocaching is, it is like that but online. I think that this idea is so cool.
What I got from the article is that students have one website that they visit to see what they must accomplish. The site outlines what must be done and what should be achieved. Then students are put on a quest for information via the world wide web. Wow, it is like a treasure hunt. I can easily use this in my classroom.
I feel as though technology is not that hard to understand or use. All you need is to take your time and build upon what you already know. There are so many exciting things that you are able to do in technology and music that knowing a bit about it will make you life easier.
Friday, October 30, 2009
PLN Week 10
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ne6tB2KiZuk
This is a link that I fond through a colleague of mine, Elijah Vazquez. It is a video of Bobby McFerrin teaching a crowd of people to sing a pentatonic scale. All McFerrin does in jump around the stage at certain points. Each of these points is a certain note that the crowd is supposed to sing. At the end we learn that no matter where McFerrin goes, everyone is able to do this simple task.
I found this interesting because it shows an inherent trait of music within everyone. Everyone has a musical capability, and if it takes jumping around a stage to get people to learn, do it! There are no limitations on who can be taught, and Bobby McFerrin shows that.
WOW!
This is a link that I fond through a colleague of mine, Elijah Vazquez. It is a video of Bobby McFerrin teaching a crowd of people to sing a pentatonic scale. All McFerrin does in jump around the stage at certain points. Each of these points is a certain note that the crowd is supposed to sing. At the end we learn that no matter where McFerrin goes, everyone is able to do this simple task.
I found this interesting because it shows an inherent trait of music within everyone. Everyone has a musical capability, and if it takes jumping around a stage to get people to learn, do it! There are no limitations on who can be taught, and Bobby McFerrin shows that.
WOW!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
PLN Week 9
http://www.musiccognition.nl/blog/2009/10/do-we-all-have-talent-for-music.html
I had forgotten that I had signed up for this blog. I find that this topic is quite interesting. Do we all have a talent for music?
The author of the blog, says that "Yes", we do. All I have to say is wow.
It has never really dawned on me that someone cannot have some aptitude for music. I can see that some people are less talented than others, but then again, that is why we have architects and doctors.
This is such an interesting topic because music is inherent to humans. The need to have music, the want of it, is so intriguing. There is nothing quite like listening to your favorite song, or improvising in your favorite key. There is a magic.
I feel as though the question lies in what people experience when they hear or perform music. And that is what defines their musical ability.
I had forgotten that I had signed up for this blog. I find that this topic is quite interesting. Do we all have a talent for music?
The author of the blog, says that "Yes", we do. All I have to say is wow.
It has never really dawned on me that someone cannot have some aptitude for music. I can see that some people are less talented than others, but then again, that is why we have architects and doctors.
This is such an interesting topic because music is inherent to humans. The need to have music, the want of it, is so intriguing. There is nothing quite like listening to your favorite song, or improvising in your favorite key. There is a magic.
I feel as though the question lies in what people experience when they hear or perform music. And that is what defines their musical ability.
Week 9 Reactions
This week in technology we had to learn to use different websites. The two in particular were wikispaces, and delicious. I can honestly say that this felt more like a hassle then a benefit.
I had a lot of qualms with both of these sites. I feel that I am only adding things to my toolbar that are not really essential. Yes both these sites have their benefits, but I am failing to see the point in using them.
Maybe I am a bit old fashioned, but I enjoy looking for information, I do not want it to just come to me. I feel that this is why I do not enjoy delicious.com. I feel as though I am using resources that too many teachers are using.
Wikispaces is a bit of a different story. I do not mind this site as much. And in a way I know that it will be quite useful. However, the emphasis that has been put on it is too great, in my opinion.
Yes it is great for collaboration, but beyond that, I have trouble seeing a use for it. Again, it will become a place where people will post their ideals, and the true essence of the "space" will have lost all meaning.
Again, I may be a bit quick to look down upon these sites. I realize that I have just been introduced to them, but I cannot help but address my concerns. I think that sometimes good, old fashioned searching is more beneficial than having all your information come to you.
I had a lot of qualms with both of these sites. I feel that I am only adding things to my toolbar that are not really essential. Yes both these sites have their benefits, but I am failing to see the point in using them.
Maybe I am a bit old fashioned, but I enjoy looking for information, I do not want it to just come to me. I feel that this is why I do not enjoy delicious.com. I feel as though I am using resources that too many teachers are using.
Wikispaces is a bit of a different story. I do not mind this site as much. And in a way I know that it will be quite useful. However, the emphasis that has been put on it is too great, in my opinion.
Yes it is great for collaboration, but beyond that, I have trouble seeing a use for it. Again, it will become a place where people will post their ideals, and the true essence of the "space" will have lost all meaning.
Again, I may be a bit quick to look down upon these sites. I realize that I have just been introduced to them, but I cannot help but address my concerns. I think that sometimes good, old fashioned searching is more beneficial than having all your information come to you.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
PLN Week 8
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/musicinstinct/video/music-and-medicine/music-therapy-for-infants/76/
This link is from a PBS website that has many interesting articles on it. I picked this one because I find that music therapy is one category that is not delved into enough.
I went to a lecture last year for Phi Delta Epsilon on music therapy and was intrigued with the work the UH has been doing with infants. There are so many things that can go wrong with young kids that music can fix. It was this idea that stuck with me and the reason as to why I picked this article.
Music therapists have been able to recreate the sound of a mother's heartbeat so that a newborn can continue to hear it. The reason behind this is that the all the infant can hear when it is not born yet is its mother's heartbeat. This helps the fetus to learn how to nurse correctly.
The instrument that they use is called a Gato Box. When played with the hand, the sound that resonates from it is close to that of a mother's heartbeat. Thus a new born that is having trouble nursing will have an easier time.
I believe that it is imperative that music therapy be taught to our future adults. I firmly believe that music therapy holds a lot of keys to helping ailing people.
This link is from a PBS website that has many interesting articles on it. I picked this one because I find that music therapy is one category that is not delved into enough.
I went to a lecture last year for Phi Delta Epsilon on music therapy and was intrigued with the work the UH has been doing with infants. There are so many things that can go wrong with young kids that music can fix. It was this idea that stuck with me and the reason as to why I picked this article.
Music therapists have been able to recreate the sound of a mother's heartbeat so that a newborn can continue to hear it. The reason behind this is that the all the infant can hear when it is not born yet is its mother's heartbeat. This helps the fetus to learn how to nurse correctly.
The instrument that they use is called a Gato Box. When played with the hand, the sound that resonates from it is close to that of a mother's heartbeat. Thus a new born that is having trouble nursing will have an easier time.
I believe that it is imperative that music therapy be taught to our future adults. I firmly believe that music therapy holds a lot of keys to helping ailing people.
Readings 10/12 - 10/16
This week I had to read articles that dealt with "Computer Aided Instruction" or CAI. Instead of the broad term music technology, CAI deals with just using multiple or a single computer in the classroom.
The article that struck me the most was the Kassner article on teaching an entire class with a single computer. It was not just the ideas that struck me as unique and quite useful, but it was how Kassner told that there would be problems with a singe computer approach.
I also liked how he included a chart of specific programs such as Cakewalk and Toney Games and showed how they could be used. I feel that if I was at a school with limited resources I would be okay and able to teach appropriately.
Another article by Chad Criswell was bout the "Smartboard". This is a plain looking white board, but it is in fact even more. What happens is there are no markers used. It is a whiteboard for a projection. The screen then reads what you "write on it" and it will appear on the projection. You can erase, augment, move, and generally do anything you want with a Smartboard.
This would be an ideal situation if a music classroom had a Smartboard, because it would save so much time and effort. I am however worried for the school systems that do not have the resources to buy one of these boards. Although I know they are not needed, they allow for great teaching opportunities.
I feel that a computer could be a vital resource in the classroom that is not for just administrative reasons. I have been enlightened this week to that fact. I can see that having a computer as a tool to teach is starting to become imperative.
The article that struck me the most was the Kassner article on teaching an entire class with a single computer. It was not just the ideas that struck me as unique and quite useful, but it was how Kassner told that there would be problems with a singe computer approach.
I also liked how he included a chart of specific programs such as Cakewalk and Toney Games and showed how they could be used. I feel that if I was at a school with limited resources I would be okay and able to teach appropriately.
Another article by Chad Criswell was bout the "Smartboard". This is a plain looking white board, but it is in fact even more. What happens is there are no markers used. It is a whiteboard for a projection. The screen then reads what you "write on it" and it will appear on the projection. You can erase, augment, move, and generally do anything you want with a Smartboard.
This would be an ideal situation if a music classroom had a Smartboard, because it would save so much time and effort. I am however worried for the school systems that do not have the resources to buy one of these boards. Although I know they are not needed, they allow for great teaching opportunities.
I feel that a computer could be a vital resource in the classroom that is not for just administrative reasons. I have been enlightened this week to that fact. I can see that having a computer as a tool to teach is starting to become imperative.
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